Microsoft expects to extend its xCloud cloud-gaming brand to smart TVs within the next 12 months, Xbox chief Phil Spencer told a podcast interview, while the company continues to prioritize immediate fixes for iOS support.
Spencer sets a one-year horizon for TV app
In the interview, Phil Spencer said he believes users should see an Xbox-branded app for smart televisions within the next 12 months. “I think you should see this in the next 12 months. I don’t think there’s anything preventing us from doing that,” he said.
Microsoft is considering either a dedicated TV app or a small USB-style device similar to Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV to enable streaming to televisions. The company previously explored a streaming device in 2016 but abandoned that effort as priorities shifted.
Work on iOS web interface remains a priority
Despite the TV plans, Spencer emphasized that an immediate focus is delivering a workable solution for running xCloud on Apple’s iOS devices. xCloud already functions on Android, but support on iPhone has encountered obstacles, prompting Microsoft to pursue a web-based interface to enable play on iOS.
Consoles and hybrid play strategy
Spencer reiterated Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to releasing dedicated consoles for local gameplay. The company recently introduced the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X as part of its latest hardware generation.
He said Microsoft does not view these as the final major hardware releases. When describing xCloud—a service comparable to other cloud platforms—Spencer said Microsoft aims to evolve toward a hybrid model where games run using both cloud servers and local computing resources.
Expanding xCloud to social platforms
Microsoft has also confirmed plans to integrate xCloud with Facebook Gaming, broadening the service’s reach into social networks and enabling more ways for players to access cloud-streamed titles.
Source: The Verge
